Shayla R. Richard (Ree-Shard) works professionally as a Program Manager for Charter Communications.

A third generation Denverite with Louisiana roots. Shayla is a co-founding member of the Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs (SPIN), a philanthropic giving circle of Black women.

A graduate of Montbello High School, Shayla is also a graduate of the 2019 cohort of Emerge, a 6-month intensive program that teaches Democratic women to run for office.

She is also a graduate of the 2010 cohort of the Urban Leadership Foundation Connect formerly known as Chamber Connect. Shayla holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Denver and has pursued a Master's in Public Policy from the University of Colorado at Denver. Shayla also received a certificate in Web Development from Galvanize in 2018.She is currently pursuing her MBA in Product Management at Colorado State University.

Shayla holds memberships of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Denver NAACP, Urban League Young Professionals, National Council of Negro Women, and Colorado Black Women for Political Action. She also serves as a precinct captain for HD7(B) and is the treasurer for the African Diaspora Initiative of Colorado Democrats. Shayla also sits on the board for Women Uprising and is a member of the Racial Equity Council via the Mayor’s Office of Social Equity and Innovation.

Shayla has a deep love of music, all forms of entertainment, the human experience, live comedic performances, helping others and cooking. Her greatest accomplishment and favorite person is her fifteen-year-old son, Kaleo pronounced (Ka-lay-Oh).

A quote that influences Shayla to remain steadfast on life’s journey is, “only the finest steel gets sent through the refiners fire.” -Helen Keller